EB-1A Excaliber

by Bud Sliger

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Silly Week 2006

 

EB-1A  Excaliber

ser.21066  'Article 66'

assigned to High technology Aerospace Weapons Center (HAWC)

Groom Lake, NV.

Fall 1987  

 

     After a meeting between Gen. Brad Elliott (Director of HAWC), and Col. James Anderson (deputy commander-2157th evaluation sqn. Edwards AFB), the 4th B-1A prototype was delivered to Dreamland for the evaluation of new systems for the B-1B, which included the AGM-130 Striker and the AIM-120 Scorpion for the upcoming secret raid on the Russian Kavaznya Laser facility.

 

      After arrival, the aircraft was stripped to the airframe and rebuilt using Fibersteel (Carbon steel/fiberglass mix) and other composite materials. The cockpit received 4 multi-function displays, a fly-by-wire flight control system was installed, and the ejection capsule was replaced by ejection seats. The 'Crosseye' ECM spine was replaced, and 4 external weapons pylon were added. The new underwing pylons were designed to carry the special MER 6-rack for the AIM-120. 2 ESM pods were added to the wing pylons as a part of the new ALQ-161Echo defensive ECM system, the AN/APQ-164 radar was upgraded to the AMRAAM compatible -164 Alpha, and the 3-tone camoflage was replaced by a radar absorbing flat black finish. The new article number was applied on the tail, false USAF test badges and the HAWC sash on the intakes.

 

      Article 066 was used to test many of the ECM, weapons and systems upgrades that were made to the B-1B fleet. After the Maraklov spy incident, which forced the shutdown of HAWC in 1995, the plane was restored to stock configuration and flown to the Airforce museum, Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.

Bud

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Photos and text © by Bud Sliger